Information processing apparatus including a plurality of network interfaces and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus that communicates directly with an external apparatus using wireless communication includes a plurality of network interfaces, a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of different network information respectively assigned to the plurality of network interfaces, an identification unit that identifies a user who logged in the information processing apparatus, a selection unit that selects, as network information to be transmitted directly to the external apparatus using the wireless communication, at least one network information corresponding to the identified user from among the stored plurality of pieces of network information, and a transmission unit that transmits the selected network information directly to the external apparatus using the wireless communication.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.16/211,077, which was filed on Dec. 5, 2018 and which claims priority toJapanese Patent Application No. 2017-239306, which was filed on Dec. 14,2017, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatusincluding a plurality of network interfaces.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, an information processing apparatus can wirelesslycommunicate with an external apparatus, etc. to receive data from theexternal apparatus and print the data. At this time, network informationabout the information processing apparatus is transmitted via a nearfield wireless unit such as a near field communication (NFC) unitincluded in the information processing apparatus so that the externalapparatus and the information processing apparatus identify each otheras their respective communication partners.

In a known technique, data to be printed, etc. is transmitted from theexternal apparatus to the information processing apparatus, or data istransmitted from the information processing apparatus to the externalapparatus, using wireless communication that is different from andhigher in speed than NFC, e.g., wireless local area network (LAN)communication. To perform wireless LAN communication, connectionprocessing needs to be performed based on communication standards, andnetwork information, such as a service set identifier (SSID), password,and Internet Protocol (IP) address for performing wireless LANconnection, authentication, and data transfer, needs to be set to theexternal apparatus. As used herein, the term “password” refers to anencryption key.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-182449 discusses atechnique using a handover method in which an external apparatusacquires necessary network information for wireless LAN connection via anear field wireless unit and performs wireless LAN connection based onthe acquired network information. In this way, a user is not required toconduct the bothersome work of wireless LAN registration and setting onthe external apparatus, and handover is executable by reading theinformation from the near field wireless unit of the informationprocessing apparatus.

There has been an increasing need for an information processingapparatus that can be shared by a plurality of groups while security ismaintained. In response to such a need, Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2016-170618 discusses an information processing apparatusthat includes a plurality of network interfaces, sets an allowed userfor each network interface, and connects to a network.

However, in the information processing apparatus that includes theplurality of network interfaces and is to be connected to a plurality ofnetworks, the user needs to provide an external apparatus with networkinformation for connecting the external apparatus to an appropriatenetwork.

In the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2016-170618, a user allowed to connect is set for each networkinterface. If network information about a network to which the user isnot allowed to connect is provided to an external apparatus, theexternal apparatus cannot exchange data with the information processingapparatus.

Even in a case in which a user allowed to connect is not set for eachnetwork interface, network information that is provided can cause theuser to connect an external apparatus to an inappropriate network.Consequently, for example, in a case in which a plurality of companiesshares and uses a single information processing apparatus, a user of oneof the companies can connect an external terminal to a network ofanother one of the companies, and can acquire confidential information,etc. of the other company.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a technique by which aninformation processing apparatus that includes a plurality of networkinterfaces and is to be connected to a plurality of networks provides anexternal apparatus with network information that enables a user toconnect the external apparatus to an appropriate network.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an informationprocessing apparatus that communicates directly with an externalapparatus using wireless communication includes a plurality of networkinterfaces, a storage unit configured to store a plurality of pieces ofdifferent network information respectively assigned to the plurality ofnetwork interfaces, an identification unit configured to identify a userwho logged in the information apparatus, a selection unit configured toselect, as network information to be transmitted directly to theexternal apparatus using the wireless communication, at least onenetwork information corresponding to the identified user from among thestored plurality of pieces of network information, and a transmissionunit configured to transmit the selected network information directly tothe external apparatus using the wireless communication.

Further features will become apparent from the following description ofexemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an information processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of a configuration at the timewhen a mobile terminal is held over a near field communication (NFC)unit of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a list in which a user identifier (ID),a network interface (IF) Gr, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address areassociated.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are flowcharts illustrating an example of aseries of processes from when a job is transmitted to an informationprocessing apparatus including NFC until when the job is processed.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the configuration of an informationprocessing apparatus including Bluetooth® low energy (LE).

FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed example of Bluetooth® LE communication.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts illustrating an example of a series ofprocesses from when a job is transmitted to an information processingapparatus including Bluetooth® LE until when the job is processed.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the configuration of an informationprocessing apparatus in which a Quick Response (QR) Code® display isinstalled.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a display screen of a mobile terminalthat reads a QR code.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating an example of a series ofprocesses from when a job is transmitted to an information processingapparatus in which QR code display is installed until when the job isprocessed.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are flowcharts illustrating an example of aseries of processes including a writing process of IP addresses of aplurality of network interfaces (IFs) to a memory unit of an NFC unit.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the configuration of the mobileterminal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail below with reference to the drawings. It should benoted that components described in the exemplary embodiments are mereexamples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

In each exemplary embodiment described below, an information processingapparatus that includes a plurality of network interfaces and is to beconnected to a plurality of networks provides an external apparatus withnetwork information that enables a user to connect the externalapparatus to an appropriate network.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an information processing apparatus. Aninformation processing apparatus 1 is, for example, a generalmulti-function peripheral that includes various functions such as adownload function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and a printfunction. The information processing apparatus 1 includes an operationunit 2 configured to input a user operation instruction and a near fieldwireless unit 3 configured to enable communication with an externalapparatus using near field wireless communication. The operation unit 2can function as a display unit that displays information. In a firstexemplary embodiment, a near field communication (NFC) unit 3 will bedescribed as an example of the near field wireless unit.

The information processing apparatus 1 also includes an NFCreader/writer (R/W) unit 5. The user can log into the informationprocessing apparatus 1 by holding an integrated circuit (IC) card withan NFC tag embedded therein, such as an employee identification card,over the NFC R/W unit 5.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the information processing apparatus.As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 in thepresent exemplary embodiment includes a network interface (IF)_A 401 anda network IF_B 411. The information processing apparatus 1 can includetwo wire connection IFs, such as Ethernet®, two wireless connection IFs,or one wire connection IF and one wireless connection IF. While the casein which the information processing apparatus 1 includes two network IFsis described in the present exemplary embodiment, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 can include three or more network IFs.

A unique identifier such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address or mediaaccess control (MAC) address is set to each network IF. For example,“172.24.1.100” is set to the network IF_A 401, and “172.24.1.200” is setto the network IF_B 411. The IP addresses can be IP addresses that arefixed or IP addresses that are assigned on the Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol (DHCP) server sides (403/413), etc.

The network IF_A 401 is connected to a controller 204 and is connectedto a personal computer (PC) 402, a server 403, an access point 404, etc.via a network 405. The network IF_B 411 is connected to the controller204 and is connected to a PC 412, a server 413, an access point 414,etc. via a network 415.

Dividing the networks using the plurality of network IFs as describedabove produces the following advantage. For example, in the cases inwhich one network is connected to a corporate local area network (LAN)_Aof company A while another network is connected to a corporate LAN_B ofcompany B, a user of one of the networks is prohibited from connectingto the other network to maintain security. It is also possible to limitthe users allowed to connect to an access point of the network IFs usingMAC address limitation, etc. when a user of one of the networks falselyacquires a service set identifier (SSID) of an access point or apassword of the other network.

The NFC unit 3 includes an NFC antenna unit 301, an NFC control unit302, and a memory unit 303. The information processing apparatus 1 canperform NFC communication 310 with a mobile terminal 100 via the NFCantenna unit 301. The above-described set IP address of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 is stored in the memory unit 303 of the NFC unit3 and rewritten by the NFC control unit 302. While the IP address isrewritten in the present exemplary embodiment, SSID, password, etc. canbe written. As used herein, the term “password” refers to an encryptionkey.

While the case in which the NFC unit 3 for performing the NFCcommunication 310 is used for the communication between the informationprocessing apparatus 1 and an external apparatus such as a mobileterminal is described as an example in the present exemplary embodiment,the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the case. Forexample, an application to a case in which an information processingapparatus and an external device exchange information using near fieldwireless communication with Bluetooth® Low Energy (hereinafter,“Bluetooth® LE”) is also possible. An application to a case in which anexternal device exchanges information with the information processingapparatus 1 by reading a Quick Response (QR) Code® displayed on theoperation unit 2 of the information processing apparatus 1 is alsopossible.

The controller 204 including a central processing unit (CPU) 211controls operations of the entire information processing apparatus 1.The CPU 211 reads a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM)212 in the controller 204 or a storage unit 207 to perform various typesof control such as reading control and print control.

While one CPU 211 interprets a command developed onto a memory toexecute a process illustrated in a flowchart described below in theinformation processing apparatus 1, any other form can be employed. Forexample, a plurality of processors, a plurality of random accessmemories (RAMs) 213, the ROM 212, and a storage can cooperate to executea process illustrated in a flowchart described below. A hardware circuitcan be used to execute part of the process. The control of a module suchas the NFC unit 3 is realized by cooperation with a processor, etc. ofthe module.

A CPU 203 of the operation unit 2 controls a key panel 202, a liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel 201, and the NFC control unit 302 and thememory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3. The CPU 203 is controlled by thecontroller 204. A reader 205 and a printer 206 are controlled by the CPU211 in the controller 204. The memory unit 303 stores networkinformation, etc. (e.g., an IP address, a SSID, and a password of anaccess point on a network) such as the IP address of the informationprocessing apparatus 1.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a configuration of the mobile terminal100. A CPU 101 is a central processing unit configured to control theentire mobile terminal 100. A RAM 102 is a work memory to temporarilystore data for use in computation by the CPU 101. A flash ROM 103 storesa program and various types of data for use by the CPU 101. An operationunit 104 is to input and output information between a user and themobile terminal 100, and includes a LCD and touch panel.

A camera 105 is an image capturing unit configured to capture still andmoving images. A wireless LAN interface (I/F) 106 is an interface forexchanging data with an external device via wireless LAN communication410.

An NFC communication unit 110 includes an NFC reader/writer 107 and anantenna 108. The NFC reader/writer 107 performs control for performingthe NFC communication 310. The antenna 108 is an antenna for performingthe NFC communication 310, and exchanges a radio wave generated by theNFC communication 310 with the external device.

A Bluetooth® LE communication unit 111 performs control for performingBluetooth® Low Energy communication 610 with an external device, andexchanges a radio wave generated by the Bluetooth® LE communication 610.The CPU 101, the RAM 102, the flash ROM 103, the operation unit 104, thecamera 105, the wireless LAN I/F 106, and the NFC reader/writer 107 areconnected via a system bus 109 to exchange data with one another.

If the NFC reader/writer 107 of the mobile terminal 100 performing areader/writer operation is held over the NFC antenna unit 301 of the NFCunit 3 of the information processing apparatus 1, the NFC reader/writer107 reads information stored in the memory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3.The information to be read at this time is network information for thewireless LAN communication 410, and examples include an IP address, anSSID, a password, and a device name.

The mobile terminal 100 connects to the information processing apparatus1 using the read network information using the wireless LANcommunication 410 via the access point 404 or 414. The mobile terminal100 connects to the information processing apparatus 1 through theabove-described process to transmit a job to the information processingapparatus 1, receive data read by the information processing apparatus1, etc.

As used herein, the term “job” refers to a print job, a scan job, etc.The print job is data that stores an instruction to cause theinformation processing apparatus 1 to execute print processing, imagedata, setting information, etc. The scan job is data that stores aninstruction to cause the information processing apparatus 1 to executescan processing and setting information.

The mobile terminal 100 can use the network 405 or 415 via the accesspoint 404 or 414.

To perform wireless LAN communication based on communication standards,the user needs to set the network information via the operation unit 104of the mobile terminal 100, which is inconvenient for the user. Toovercome this inconvenience, a handover method is widely used in which,when a mobile terminal and an information processing apparatus are toperform wireless LAN communication, first the mobile terminal reads anNFC tag to acquire necessary network information for wireless LANconnection and then the wireless LAN connection is performed based onthe acquired network information.

The information processing apparatus 1 is required to include an NFC R/Wbesides the NFC unit 3 in order to realize user authentication and loginwith an IC card 511.

The NFC R/W unit 5 acquires user authentication information from the ICcard 511 under the control by the controller 204. While the example inwhich the user authentication information is acquired from the IC card511 by holding the IC card 511 including the NFC tag over the NFC R/Wunit 5 is described in the present exemplary embodiment, the presentexemplary embodiment is not limited to the example.

For example, the information processing apparatus 1 can acquire userauthentication information by displaying a login screen on the operationunit 2 to prompt the user to input the user authentication informationsuch as a user identifier (ID) and a password via the login screen. Inthis case, the CPU 211 determines whether to allow the user to log in bycomparing the user authentication information input via the login screenwith the user authentication information stored on the server 403 or413, or in the storage unit 207 of the information processing apparatus1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of a configuration at the time ofholding the mobile terminal 100 over the NFC unit 3 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1. A mark 208 indicating the NFC antenna unit 301is provided under the LCD panel 201 of the operation unit 2. The userinstructs to activate a job transmission application 209 fortransmitting a print job, a scan job, etc. from the mobile terminal 100to the information processing apparatus 1 on the mobile terminal 100.

If the mobile terminal 100 detects a user instruction to activate thejob transmission application 209, the mobile terminal 100 displays ascreen of the job transmission application 209 installed in the mobileterminal 100.

The job transmission application 209 displays information, such as“Waiting for NFC communication. Please touch NFC unit.”, on theoperation unit 2 of the mobile terminal 100, as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

If the mobile terminal 100 is held over the mark 208 indicating NFC, theNFC control unit 302 of the information processing apparatus 1 detects aradio wave of the NFC communication 310 of the mobile terminal 100 viathe NFC antenna unit 301. Then, the NFC control unit 302 acquiresnetwork information, such as the IP address of the informationprocessing apparatus 1, from the detected radio wave of the NFCcommunication 310.

At this time, the job transmission application 209 displays information,such as “NFC communication is proceeding. Please keep touching andwait.”, on the screen of the mobile terminal 100, as illustrated in FIG.3B. If the acquisition of information from the information processingapparatus 1 via the NFC communication 310 is completed, the mobileterminal 100 becomes enabled to perform the wireless LAN communication410 with the information processing apparatus 1 based on the networkinformation such as the IP address of the information processingapparatus 1. If the wireless LAN communication 410 with the informationprocessing apparatus 1 is enabled, the job transmission application 209becomes enabled to transmit print data, etc. to the informationprocessing apparatus 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a list in which a user ID, a network IFGr, and an IP address are associated.

A list 501 includes items of the following information; a user ID 502for identifying a user, a network IF Gr 503 using a network IF that theuser is allowed to use, an IP address 504, an access point SSID 505 ofan access point connected to the network IF, and an access pointpassword 506.

The list 501 is stored in the storage unit 207 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1. The list 501 is registered in advance by anadministrator and can be changeable via the operation unit 2 or from anexternal PC. While the user ID, the network IF Gr, and the networkinformation are associated in the present exemplary embodiment, theassociation is not limited to the above-described association, and eachuser ID can be associated with network information.

The information processing apparatus 1 refers to the list 501illustrated in FIG. 4 and determines the network information to bewritten to the memory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3 at the time of userlogin.

The network IF_A 401 (IP address “172.24.1.100”) is connected to theaccess point 404. Thus, the SSID “ABC” and the password “1111” areassigned to the network IF_A 401.

The network IF_B 411 (IP address “172.24.1.200”) is connected to theaccess point 414. Thus, the SSID “DEF” and the password “2222” areassigned to the network IF_B 411. The following describes an example inwhich the user holding the IC card 511 storing the user ID “3” logs inusing the IC card 511 in FIG. 2.

The user holds the IC card 511, such as an employee identification card,over the NFC R/W unit 5 of the information processing apparatus 1 toattempt to log in. The information processing apparatus 1 allows theuser associated with the user ID “3” to log in based on the user ID “3”acquired by reading the IC card 511.

The information processing apparatus 1 acquires the network informationcorresponding to the user ID “3” read from the IC card 511 at the timeof login based on the list 501. The network information at this time is“172.24.1.200” of the IP address, “DEF” of the access point SSID, and“2222” of the access point password.

The information processing apparatus 1 writes the network information tothe memory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3. Then, if the user holds themobile terminal 100 over the NFC unit 3 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and3B, the NFC control unit 302 performs the NFC communication 310 with themobile terminal 100 via the NFC antenna unit 301.

The mobile terminal 100 acquires, via the NFC communication 310, thenetwork information about the network IF_B 411 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 that is stored in the memory unit 303 of theinformation processing apparatus 1. The network information is“172.24.1.200” of the IP address, “DEF” of the access point SSID, and“2222” of the access point password.

The mobile terminal 100 performs the wireless LAN communication 410 viathe access point 404, and transmits a job to the IP address“172.24.1.200” of the network IF_B 411 of the information processingapparatus 1 that is acquired via the NFC communication 310.

As described above, the user uses the mobile terminal 100 to perform NFCcommunication with the information processing apparatus 1 which includesa plurality of network IFs and in which the use of each network IF islimited to a user allowed to use the network IF. In this way, the mobileterminal 100 receives network information about the network IF that theuser is allowed to use, whereby the mobile terminal 100 and theinformation processing apparatus 1 can perform wireless LANcommunication.

A detailed control method for rewriting network information for use inmobile cooperation, which is described above with reference to FIG. 4,will be described below with reference to flowcharts in FIGS. 5A, 5B,5C, and 5D. FIGS. 5A to 5D are the flowcharts illustrating an example ofa series of processes from when a job is transmitted to the informationprocessing apparatus 1 including NFC until when the job is processed.The CPU 211 or 203 reads a program stored in the ROM 212 and executesthe program to realize the flowcharts in FIGS. 5A to 5C.

FIG. 5A illustrates a process performed by the CPU 211 in the controller204 of the information processing apparatus 1 in the series of processesfrom when a job is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1including NFC until when the job is processed.

In step S601, the CPU 211 displays a login screen (not illustrated) onthe operation unit 2 and waits for a login instruction from a user. TheCPU 211 can also wait for a login instruction from the IC card 511.

In step S602, the CPU 211 determines whether a login instruction isinput. Specifically, in a case where authentication information (a userID and a password) is received and then a login operation is performedvia the login screen (not illustrated), the CPU 211 determines that alogin instruction is input.

The CPU 211 also determines that a login instruction is input in a casewhere the NFC R/W unit 5 detects that the IC card 511 is held over theNFC R/W unit 5 and user identification information is received. In acase where the CPU 211 determines that a login instruction is input (YESin step S602), the processing proceeds to step S603. In a case where alogin key is not pressed or in a case where the NFC R/W unit 5 does notdetect that the IC card 511 is held over the NFC R/W unit 5 (NO in stepS602), the CPU 211 determines that no login instruction is input, andwaits for a login instruction.

In step S603, the CPU 211 performs user authentication processing andlogin processing based on the authentication information. In the case inwhich the login instruction is input using the IC card 511 in step S602,the CPU 211 acquires user identification information as authenticationinformation from the IC card 511 detected in step S602. The useridentification information can be, for example, a user ID, a card numberassociated with the user ID on a database server (not illustrated), etc.In the present exemplary embodiment, the user ID is described as theuser identification information.

In step S602, in a case where the login instruction is input by a useroperation via the login screen, the user ID and the password input via ascreen 420 are acquired as authentication information.

The CPU 211 compares the acquired authentication information withinformation in a user database (DB) stored in the server or in theapparatus. As a result of the comparison, in a case where the CPU 211determines to allow login (YES in step S603), the CPU 211 performs loginprocessing to log the user into the information processing apparatus 1,and the processing proceeds to step S604. In a case where the CPU 211determines not to allow the user to log in (NO in step S603), the CPU211 displays a message indicating that the attempt to log in fails, andthe processing returns to step S601.

In the case in which the login instruction is input using the IC card511, the CPU 211 searches the user DB using the user ID acquired fromthe IC card 511 in step S602 as a search key. As a result of the search,in a case where there is a user of the same user ID in the user DB, theCPU 211 allows the user to log in, whereas in a case where there is nouser of the same user ID, the CPU 211 does not allow the use to log in.

In step S604, the CPU 211 compares the user ID of the user allowed tolog in by the processing in step S603 with the list 501.

In step S605, the CPU 211 determines the network IF Gr to be used by theuser from among the plurality of network IF Grs. For example, in thecase of the user of the user ID “3”, the network IF Gr is “networkIF_B-Gr” (NO in step S605), and the processing proceeds to step S607. Ina case where the network IF Gr is “network IF_A-Gr” (YES in step S605),the processing proceeds to step S606.

In step S606, since the IF to be used by the user is “network IF_A-Gr”,the CPU 203 of the operation unit 2 refers to the list 501 and writesthe network information corresponding to the network IF_A-Gr to thememory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3. The network information is“172.24.1.100” of the IP address, “ABC” of the access point SSID, and“1111” of the access point password.

In step S607, since the IF to be used by the user is “network IF_B-Gr”,the CPU 203 of the operation unit 2 refers to the list 501 and writesthe network information corresponding to the network IF_B-Gr to thememory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3. The network information at this timeis “172.24.1.200” of the IP address, “DEF” of the access point SSID, and“2222” of the access point password.

FIG. 5B illustrates a process performed by the CPU 203 of the operationunit 2 in the series of processes from when a job is transmitted to theinformation processing apparatus 1 including NFC until when the job isprocessed.

In step S608, the CPU 203 of the operation unit 2 determines whether theNFC communication unit 110 of the mobile terminal 100 is held over theNFC unit 3 in the NFC communication 310. In a case where the CPU 203determines that the NFC communication unit 110 is held over the NFC unit3 (YES in step S608), the processing proceeds to step S609.

In step S609, the CPU 203 of the operation unit 2 transmits the networkinformation described above to the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 inthe NFC communication 310.

FIG. 5C illustrates a process performed by the CPU 211 of theinformation processing apparatus 1 in the series of processes from whena job is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1 includingNFC until when the job is processed.

In step S610, the CPU 211 determines whether a job is received from theCPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100. In a case where the CPU 211determines that a job is received from the CPU 101 (YES in step S610),the processing proceeds to step S611. In step S611, the CPU 211 controlsthe printer 206 to start printing the received job.

FIG. 5D illustrates a process performed by the mobile terminal 100. Instep S612, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 activates a jobtransmission application 209 for transmitting a job to the informationprocessing apparatus 1. In step S613, the mobile terminal 100 waits forcommunication with the information processing apparatus 1 in the NFCcommunication 310. In step S614, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100displays, for example, a message “Waiting for NFC communication. Pleasetouch NFC unit.” on the operation unit 104 of the mobile terminal 100.

In step S615, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whethernetwork information about the network IF is acquired (or read) in theNFC communication 310. In a case where the CPU 101 determines that thenetwork information is acquired (YES in step S615), the processingproceeds to step S616.

In step S616, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 connects to theinformation processing apparatus 1 via an access point in the wirelessLAN communication 410 using the acquired network information.

In step S617, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 displays a screen(not illustrated) for setting and checking setting information fortransmitting a job to the information processing apparatus 1. Examplesof setting information include color/monochrome settings andstapling-on/off settings.

In step S618, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whether“YES” is pressed or “NO” is pressed on the screen for setting andchecking as described above. In a case where the CPU 101 determines that“NO” is pressed (NO in step S618), the processing returns to step S617.In a case where the CPU 101 determines that “YES” is pressed (YES instep S618), the processing proceeds to step S619, and the CPU 101 of themobile terminal 100 transmits a job to the network IF of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 using the acquired network information.

In the case in which a user allowed to connect to a plurality ofnetworks logs in, the user can be prompted to select a network toconnect and the network information about the selected network can bestored in the memory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the information processingapparatus 1 including a plurality of network interfaces can preventtransmission of network information about a network that the use by theuser is limited, to an external apparatus, by performing handover.

In the first exemplary embodiment described above, the example isdescribed in which the information processing apparatus 1 transmits thenetwork information in the NFC communication 310 via the NFC unit 3. Ina second exemplary embodiment, an example will be described below inwhich the information processing apparatus 1 transmits networkinformation in the Bluetooth® LE communication 610 via a Bluetooth® LowEnergy unit 6, which is mainly the difference from the first exemplaryembodiment.

The Bluetooth® LE unit 6 includes a Bluetooth® LE antenna unit 601, aBluetooth® LE control unit 602, and a memory unit 603.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 including Bluetooth® LE.

The storage unit 207 of the information processing apparatus 1 storesthe list 501 illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the user ID, the network IFGr, and the network information are associated. A user holds the IC card511 such as an employee identification card including an NFC tag overthe NFC R/W unit 5 so that the CPU 211 of the information processingapparatus 1 acquires user identification information and performs loginprocessing. The user identification information can be, for example, auser ID, a card number associated with the user ID on the databaseserver (not illustrated), etc. In the present exemplary embodiment, theuser ID is described as the user identification information.

The CPU 211 acquires the network information corresponding to the userID “3” read from the IC card 511 at the time of login based on the list501. The network information at this time is “172.24.1.200” of the IPaddress, “DEF” of the access point SSID, and “2222” of the access pointpassword. The CPU 211 writes the acquired network information to thememory unit 603 of the Bluetooth® LE unit 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of detailed Bluetooth® LE communication.The following schematically illustrates general operations performed bythe mobile terminal 100 to perform the Bluetooth® LE communication 610with the information processing apparatus 1 and perform handover to thewireless LAN communication 410.

The information processing apparatus 1 periodically transmits aBluetooth® LE beacon 701. Information such as the network information(an IP address, an access point SSID, an access point password) aboutthe information processing apparatus 1 can be included in thetransmission packet of the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701 and transmitted. Themobile terminal 100 receives the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701 and acquiresthe network information about the information processing apparatus 1.

The information processing apparatus 1 transmits the network informationwritten to the memory unit 603 to the Bluetooth® LE communication unit111 of the mobile terminal 100 using the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701. Thenetwork information at this time is “172.24.1.200” of the IP address,“DEF” of the access point SSID, and “2222” of the access point password.

In this way, the mobile terminal 100 performs the wireless LANcommunication 410 via the access point 404 to transmit a job to thenetwork IF_B 411 of the information processing apparatus 1 that isacquired from the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts illustrating an example of a series ofprocesses from when a job is transmitted to the information processingapparatus 1 including Bluetooth® LE until when the job is processed. TheCPU 211 or 203 reads a program stored in the ROM 212 and executes theprogram to execute the flowcharts in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The followingdescribes the differences from the process performed by the informationprocessing apparatus 1 including the NFC unit 3 in the first exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 8A illustrates a process performed by the CPU 211 in the controller204 of the information processing apparatus 1 in the series of processesfrom when a job is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1including Bluetooth® LE until when the job is processed.

In step S601, the CPU 211 displays the login screen (not illustrated) onthe operation unit 2 and waits for a login instruction from the user.The CPU 211 can also wait for a login instruction from the IC card 511.

The CPU 211 can instruct the CPU 203 to stop transmitting the Bluetooth®LE beacon 701 or to transmit the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701 until a logininstruction is received. The content of the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701before the user logs in can be a beacon indicating the state of waitingfor login.

In step S604, the CPU 211 compares the user ID of the user allowed tolog in by the processing in step S603 with the list 501.

In step S605, the CPU 211 determines a network IF Gr to be used by theuser from among the plurality of network IFs Gr. For example, in thecase of the user of the user ID “3”, the network IF Gr is “B” (NO instep S605), and the processing proceeds to step S902. In a case wherethe network IF Gr is “A” (YES in step S605), the processing proceeds tostep S901.

In step S901, since the IF to be used by the user is “A”, the CPU 203 ofthe operation unit 2 refers to the list 501 and writes the networkinformation corresponding to the network IF_A-Gr to the memory unit 603of the Bluetooth® LE unit 6. The network information at this time is“172.24.1.100” of the IP address, “ABC” of the access point SSID, and“1111” of the access point password.

In step S902, since the IF to be used by the user is “B”, the CPU 203 ofthe operation unit 2 refers to the list 501 and writes the networkinformation corresponding to the network IF_B-Gr to the memory unit 603of the Bluetooth® LE unit 6. The network information at this time is“172.24.1.200” of the IP address, “DEF” of the access point SSID, and“2222” of the access point password. Steps S610 and S611 are the same asin FIG. 5C described above, and thus their description is omittedherein.

If the network information is written to the memory unit 603 of theBluetooth® LE unit 6, the CPU 203 of the operation unit 2 transmits thenetwork information using the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701 via theBluetooth® LE unit 6.

If the CPU 203 of the operation unit 2 receives a job, the transmissionof the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701 can be stopped.

The following describes a process performed by the mobile terminal 100,with reference to FIG. 8B.

In step S612, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 activates the jobtransmission application 209 for transmitting a job to the informationprocessing apparatus 1.

In step S903, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 waits until theBluetooth® LE beacon 701 is received from the information processingapparatus 1.

In step S904, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whetherthe network information of the Bluetooth® LE beacon 701 from theinformation processing apparatus 1 is read. In a case where the networkinformation is read (YES in step S904), the processing proceeds to stepS616.

In step S616, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 connects to theinformation processing apparatus 1 via an access point in the wirelessLAN communication 410 using the acquired network information.

In step S617, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 displays a screen(not illustrated) for setting and checking setting information fortransmitting a job to the information processing apparatus 1. Examplesof setting information include color/monochrome settings andstapling-on/off settings.

In step S618, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whether“YES” is pressed or “NO” is pressed on the screen for setting andchecking as described above. In a case where the CPU 101 determines that“NO” is pressed (NO in step S618), the processing returns to step S617.

In a case where the CPU 101 determines that “YES” is pressed (YES instep S618), the processing proceeds to step S619, and the CPU 101 of themobile terminal 100 transmits a job to the information processingapparatus 1.

The present exemplary embodiment produces a similar advantage to thatproduced by the first exemplary embodiment in the case of using a mobileterminal that does not include an NFC communication unit.

In the first exemplary embodiment described above, the example isdescribed in which the information processing apparatus 1 transmits thenetwork information in the NFC communication 310 via the NFC unit 3. Inthe second exemplary embodiment described above, the example isdescribed which the information processing apparatus 1 transmits networkinformation in the Bluetooth® LE communication 610 via a Bluetooth® LowEnergy unit 6. In a third exemplary embodiment, an example will bedescribed below in which the information processing apparatus 1 displaysnetwork information using a QR Code® 803, which is mainly the differencefrom the first and second exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 including QR Code® display.

The storage unit 207 of the information processing apparatus 1 storesthe list 501 illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the user ID, the network IFGr, and the network information are associated. The user holds the ICcard 511 such as an employee identification card including an NFC tagover the NFC R/W unit 5 so that the CPU 211 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 acquires user identification information andperforms login processing. The user identification information can be,for example, a user ID, a card number associated with the user ID on thedatabase server (not illustrated), etc. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the user ID is described as the user identificationinformation.

The CPU 211 reads the network information corresponding to the user ID“3” read from the IC card 511 at the time of login based on the list501. The network information at this time is “172.24.1.200” of the IPaddress, “DEF” of the access point SSID, and “2222” of the access pointpassword.

If an icon (not illustrated) for starting communication with the mobileterminal 100 that is displayed on the LCD panel 201 is pressed, the CPU211 displays the corresponding network information as the QR Code® 803in FIG. 9 on the LCD panel 201. A QR Code® is an example of atwo-dimensional code representing information as a graphical pattern.While the use of the QR Code® 803 to display the network information isdescribed as an example in the present exemplary embodiment, the displayof network information is not limited to the above-described example.For example, a one-dimensional barcode, etc. can be used.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a display screen of the mobileterminal 100 that reads a QR Code®. A display 901 is an image capturingarea for capturing an image of a QR Code® when the user reads the QRCode®. A message 902 is a message that instructs the user to read the QRCode® 803 displayed on the LCD panel 201 using the mobile terminal 100.

The QR Code® 803 displayed on the LCD panel 201 is read by the camera105 of the mobile terminal 100. Then, the mobile terminal 100 acquiresthe network information about the network IF_B 411 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 from the read QR Code® 803. The networkinformation at this time is “172.24.1.200” of the IP address, “DEF” ofthe access point SSID, and “2222” of the access point password.

The mobile terminal 100 performs the wireless LAN communication 410 viathe access point 404 using the network information acquired from the QRCode® 803 so that the mobile terminal 100 can transmit a job to thenetwork IF_B 411 of the information processing apparatus 1.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating an example of a series ofprocesses from when a job is transmitted to the information processingapparatus 1 in which QR Code® display is installed until when the job isprocessed. The CPU 211 or 203 reads a program stored in the ROM 212 andexecutes the program to execute the flowcharts in FIGS. 11A and 11B. Thefollowing describes the differences from the process performed by theinformation processing apparatus 1 including the NFC unit 3 or theBluetooth® Low Energy unit 6.

FIG. 11A illustrates a process performed by the CPU 211 in thecontroller 204 of the information processing apparatus 1 in the seriesof processes from when a job is transmitted to the informationprocessing apparatus 1 which displays network information using the QRCode® 803 until when the job is processed.

In step S603, in a case where the CPU 211 in the controller 204determines to allow login (YES in step S603), then in step S1201, theCPU 203 of the operation unit 2 determines whether the icon (notillustrated) for starting communication with the mobile terminal 100 ispressed.

In a case where the CPU 203 determines that the icon is pressed (YES instep S1201), then in step S604, the CPU 211 compares the user ID of theuser allowed to log in by the processing in step S603 with the list 501.

In step S605, the CPU 211 determines the network IF Gr to be used by theuser among the plurality of network IF Grs. For example, in the case ofthe user of the user ID “3”, the network IF Gr is “B” (NO in step S605),and the processing proceeds to step S1203. On the other hand, in a casewhere the network IF Gr is “A” (YES in step S605), the processingproceeds to step S1202.

In step S1202, since the IF to be used by the user is “A”, the CPU 203of the operation unit 2 refers to the list 501 and displays the networkinformation corresponding to the network IF_A-Gr as the QR Code® 803.The network information at this time is “172.24.1.100” of the IPaddress, “ABC” of the access point SSID, and “1111” of the access pointpassword.

In step S1203, since the IF to be used by the user is “B”, the CPU 203of the operation unit 2 refers to the list 501 and displays the networkinformation corresponding to the network IF_B-Gr as the QR Code® 803.The network information at this time is “172.24.1.200” of the IPaddress, “DEF” of the access point SSID, and “2222” of the access pointpassword. Steps S610 and S611 are the same as in FIG. 5C describedabove, and thus their description is omitted herein.

The following describes a process performed by the mobile terminal 100,with reference to FIG. 11B.

In step S612, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 activates a jobtransmission application 209 for transmitting a job to the informationprocessing apparatus 1. In step S1204, the CPU 101 of the mobileterminal 100 displays a message that prompts the user to read the QRCode®. In step S1205, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determineswhether network information is read from the QR Code®. In a case wherethe CPU 101 determines that the network information is read (YES in stepS1205), the processing proceeds to step S616.

In step S616, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 connects to theinformation processing apparatus 1 via an access point in the wirelessLAN communication 410 using the acquired network information.

In step S617, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 displays a screen(not illustrated) for setting and checking setting information fortransmitting a job to the information processing apparatus 1. Examplesof setting information include color/monochrome settings andstapling-on/off settings.

In step S618, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whether“YES” is pressed or “NO” is pressed on the screen for setting andchecking as described above. In a case where the CPU 101 determines that“NO” is pressed (NO in step S618), the processing returns to step S617.

In a case where the CPU 101 determines that “YES” is pressed (YES instep S618), the processing proceeds to step S619, and the CPU 101 of themobile terminal 100 transmits a job to the information processingapparatus 1.

The present exemplary embodiment produces a similar advantage to thatproduced by the first and second exemplary embodiments in the case ofusing a mobile terminal that does not include an NFC communication unitand/or a Bluetooth® LE communication unit.

In the first exemplary embodiment described above, the example isdescribed in which the memory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3 stores networkinformation about a single IF. In a fourth exemplary embodiment, anexample will be described below in which the memory unit 303 of the NFCunit 3 stores network information about a plurality of IFs, which ismainly the difference from the first exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are flowcharts illustrating an example of aseries of processes including a writing process of IP addresses of aplurality of network IFs to the memory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3. TheCPU 211 or 203 reads a program stored in the ROM 212 and executes theprogram to execute the flowcharts in FIGS. 12A to 12C.

The following describes the process performed by the CPU 211 in thecontroller 204 of the information processing apparatus 1, with referenceto FIG. 12A.

Steps S601 and S602 are the same as in FIG. 5A described above, and thusdescriptions are omitted herein. In step S603, in a case where the CPU211 determines to allow login (YES in step S603), then in step S1301,the CPU 203 of the operation unit 2 writes both the network informationabout the network IF_A 401 and the network information about the networkIF_B 411 to the memory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3.

FIGS. 12B and 12C are the same as FIGS. 5B and 5C described above, andthus descriptions are omitted herein. The following describes a processperformed by the mobile terminal 100, with reference to FIG. 12D.

In step S612, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 activates a jobtransmission application 209 for transmitting a job to the informationprocessing apparatus 1.

In step S613, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 waits forcommunication with the information processing apparatus 1 in the NFCcommunication 310.

In step S614, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 displays themessage “Waiting for NFC communication. Please touch NFC unit.” on theoperation unit 104.

In step S1302, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whetherthe network information about the network IF_A 401 and the networkinformation about the network IF_B 411 are both successfully recognized(or read) in the NFC communication 310. In a case where the CPU 101determines that the network information about the network IF_A 401 andthe network information about the network IF_B 411 are both successfullyrecognized (YES in step S1302), the processing proceeds to step S1303.

In step S1303, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whethera connection to the IP address for the network IF_A 401 is successfullyestablished.

In a case where a connection is successfully established (YES in stepS1303), in step S1304, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determinesthe IP address for the network IF_A 401 as the IP address to which a jobis to be transmitted. In the example, “172.24.1.100” is determined. In acase where a connection is not successfully established (NO in stepS1303), in step S1305, the mobile terminal 100 determines the IP addressfor the network IF_B 411 as the IP address to which a job is to betransmitted. In the example, “172.24.1.200” is determined.

In step S616, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 connects to theinformation processing apparatus 1 via an access point in the wirelessLAN communication 410 using the acquired network information.

In step S617, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 displays a screen(not illustrated) for setting and checking setting information fortransmitting a job to the information processing apparatus 1. Examplesof setting information include color/monochrome settings andstapling-on/off settings.

In step S618, the CPU 101 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whether“YES” is pressed or “NO” is pressed on the screen for setting andchecking as described above. In a case where the CPU 101 determines that“NO” is pressed (NO in step S618), the processing returns to step S617.

In a case where the CPU 101 determines that “YES” is pressed (YES instep S618), the processing proceeds to step S619, and the CPU 101 of themobile terminal 100 transmits a job to the information processingapparatus 1.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the information processingapparatus 1 that stores the network information about the plurality ofIFs in the memory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3 is described as an example.Alternatively, the memory unit 603 of the Bluetooth® LE unit 6 can storethe network information about the plurality of IFs or the QR Code® 803can include the network information about two IFs.

The above-described first to third exemplary embodiments can be combinedas needed. For example, the network information can be stored in thememory unit 303 of the NFC unit 3 and also in the memory unit 603 of theBluetooth® LE unit 6.

Each of the above-described exemplary embodiments enables a user allowedto use an information processing apparatus via a plurality of networkIFs to use the information processing apparatus using an arbitrarynetwork.

The above-described exemplary embodiment(s) can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: aplurality of network interfaces; a storage unit configured to store aplurality of pieces of different network information respectivelyassigned to the plurality of network interfaces; a display; a unitconfigured to identify a user who logged in the information processingapparatus; a selection unit configured to select, as network informationto be displayed as a two-dimensional code, at least one networkinformation corresponding to the identified user from among the storedplurality of pieces of network information; and a display unitconfigured to display the selected network information on the display asthe two-dimensional code.
 2. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the network information includes at leasta service set identifier (SSID) of an access point, a password, and aunique identifier of the network interface.
 3. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the unique identifierof the network interface is an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a mediaaccess control (MAC) address.
 4. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional code of theinformation processing apparatus is a Quick Response (QR) Code®.